Featured Student - Jamie Kalus
Posted: November 1st, 2021
 Jamie Kalus, who has been with the program since Fall 2021, is one of our graduate assistants for the 2021-22 academic year. He works with faculty members at UW-Eau Claire to help support projects and research efforts. You can learn more about Jamie in the following interview.
What is your name and where do you live?
My name is Jamie Kalus, and I live in a suburb of Detroit called Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.
When did you begin with the UW MBA Consortium?
This is my first term with the UW MBA Consortium.
What is your educational background?
I received a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Toledo in Toledo, OH.
Where do you currently work and what is your position?
I am a Director of Pharmacy with Henry Ford Health System and most of my responsibilities are at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.
What are your current goals for earning an MBA?
My goal for earning an MBA is to develop knowledge and skills that will position me to move to the next level of leadership within my profession. This next level role is a Chief Pharmacy Officer, which is a health system executive responsible for all aspects of pharmacy across a health system. I would also like to gain a general appreciation for business and financial topics, as many non-healthcare entities and for-profit companies are starting to enter the healthcare marketplace. An MBA will help me understand both threats and opportunities represented by these disruptors.
What are your academic and/or professional interests?
I have completed training in clinical research and have worked on a variety of medication-related, pharmacy and medical research studies over the last 17 years. I enjoy developing a research question and a plan for answering that question. Most of my research has been related to cardiology and heart medications; however, as I transitioned into a management role, I began applying my research skills and interests into "practice-based" research, where patient care services are evaluated. Part of my interest in an MBA degree is that it will expose me to things I haven't been exposed to before, potentially stimulating new ideas for research.
In your GA position, what instructor are you working directly with?
I am working with Dr. Yom Bui.
What project/research are you supporting in your GA position?
I am working on a project that examines the impact of terrorist attacks on corporate payout policies.
What are you enjoying about the GA position?
I decided to apply for a GA position because I was interested in learning about how research is done outside of healthcare. I have enjoyed learning more about investment firms and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission that these firms must comply with. |
